Tank support on motor vehicles



May 31, 1932. H. s. EBERHARD TANK SUPPORT 0N MOTOR VEHICLES Filed May 8. 1929 INVENmR Y B or/hon 5. bar/lard M Flt 543..

Patented May 31,

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BARRON B. EBERHARD, OI BAH LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB 1'0 CATERPILLAR TRACTOR O0 OF SAN LEANIDBO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA a TANK SUPPORT ON MOTOR VEHICLES Application filed Kay 8, 1929. Serial No. 381,426.

My invention relates particularly to fuel tanks and their method of attachment and support on vehicles. The device of my invention is especiall applicable to tractors in which an extreme y rugged and rigid construction is necessar and in which it is desirable to reduce t e number of separate parts to a minimum.

It is an object of m invention to provide a relatively rigid tank support.

Another object of my-invention is to provide a tank support with the utilization of a minimum number of parts.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, a portion being in section, of the tank support of my invention incorporated in a tractor.

Figure 2 is a cross section of the device as shown in Figure 1, the plane of section being indicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the device shown in Fi re 1, the plane of section be in indicate by line 3-3 of Figure 1.

its preferred form, the tank support of my invention preferabl comprises a grooved fuel tank supported etween brackets attached to a dash and to a radiator of a tractor the tank being cradled on the brackets and held rigidly thereto by rods engaging the grooves in the tank and passing throlilgh the brackets to form a substantially in exible unit.

As disclosed in the drawings, the tractor is provided with a radiator 6 terminating in a. header 7 to which are removably secured a air of brackets 8 and 9. Each of these rackets is provided with an offset 11 at its upper end to receive fasteni means 12 for detachably securing the bra c kets to the radiator 6. The lower end of each bracket is likewise ofiset but in an o posite direction to form a support for the Fuel tank 13. In the present instance, the tank is of flattened oblate cross section and the brackets 8 and 9 are referably contoured to conform thereto. e leading end of the tank is preferably provided with a circumferential groove 14 adapted t) receive a circular rod 16 extending over the upper end of the tank and terminating in depending portions passing through apertures in the outer portions 17 of brackets 8 and 9. The lower ends of rods 16 are threaded to receive nuts 18 which when tightened firmly secure the forward end of tank 13 to the brackets 8 and 9.

At a convenient distance from the radiator 6 the tractor is provided with a dash 21 which referably is of cast metal and is formed be ow its upper ed e with an integral bracket 22. The brac et extends substantially across the dash and is shaped to fit the lower contour of the fuel tank 13.

At its ends the bracket is provided with apertures 23 to receive the depending ends of a rod 24: passing over the upper portion of tank 13 and seated in a suitable groove 26 therein. The lower ends of rod 24 are provided with nuts 27 for tensioning the rod against the tank and holding the tank 13 firmly seated in the bracket 22. The rear end of the tank is provided with a filler spout 28 passing through a suitable aperture 29 formed in the dash. 21 and provided with sufiicient clearance to permit withdrawal of the spout 28 upon release of the clamping rods 16 and 24.

. It will be appreciated that with the construction of my invention the tank 13 is su ported and cradled between brackets on t e radiator and a bracket on the dash in such a manner that relative movement between the various parts is precluded and the radiator tank and dash form asubstantially rigid unit. This, therefore, does away with straps and braces for holdin the dash with respect to the radiator and 2550 provides a convenient and strong support for the tank. Nevertheless, the tank can easily and quickly be dismantled and removed from the tractor.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the form of the tank support shown and described herein, as the invention, as set forth in the followin claims may be embodied in a plurality 0 forms.

I claim:

1. A tank support comprising a radiator, a pair of detachable brackets depending from said radiator, a dash, a bracket integral with said dash, a tank having circumferential grooves cradled in said brackets, and rods seated in said grooves and secured to said brackets for constraining said tank and said brackets against relative movement.

2. A tank support comprising a radiator, 21 pair of detachable brackets depending from opposite sides of said radiator, an apertured dash, an integral bracket extending substantially across said dash, a grooved tank cradled in said brackets, a spout on said tank projecting through said aperture, and rods engaging the grooves in said tank and said brackets whereby said dash, radiator and tank are secured together as a unit.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HARMON S. EBERHARD. 

